This post was sponsored by the Window Covering Safety Council as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central, and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.
October is National Window Covering Safety Month! According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), corded window coverings are one of the top five hidden hazards in American homes. Exposed or hanging cords on window coverings can pose a strangulation hazard to infants and young children. Dangling cords attract small kids but can easily become wrapped around little necks in the blink of an eye. Too many children have been injured or killed after becoming entangled in window covering cords. The Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) therefore recommends using only cordless window coverings or window coverings with inaccessible cords in homes with children.
When my husband and I moved into our home, many of the windows were covered with corded blinds and shades. Most of the window coverings were old and ugly, but, more importantly, I knew that corded coverings posed a strangulation hazard to infants and young children. Even before my husband and I considered having a baby, I started working on changing out the old corded blinds and shades for cordless alternatives. A friend of mine even suggested I get in touch with a Blind installation company that could help me install motorized blinds in my home instead, and for a time, I considered it because the shades in my living room posed the greatest hazard: The windows are low, so the cords hung down to the ground, well within reach of small children. I wanted a safer alternative to cover my windows without the strangulation hazards that corded shades pose.
In order to make my home safe for my young children, I got rid of my corded blinds and chose curtains instead. I was also told that adding a film to the exterior of the windows would help in more ways than one. Besides blocking out harmful UV rays and the hot sun rays, it is also safe for kids as there are no corded blinds. Window Film Installation Frederick County is one among many possible solutions for having quality films on windows of residences and offices. If you still want blinds or shades, you can more easily make the right choice when selecting your window coverings by looking for the Best for Kids™ certification label. Window covering manufacturers must meet specific criteria and submit their products to a designated third party testing laboratory in order to qualify for the Best for Kids™ certification. You can find certified window coverings at major retailers throughout the United States. Parents and caregivers should choose only cordless window coverings or window coverings with inaccessible cords to eliminate one hazard within the home. Curtains and cordless blinds are safe options in homes with young children.
My kids are absolute balls of energy, getting into anything and everything around the house. I have locks on my cabinets, gates in doorways and stairs, anchors on tippable furniture, and covers over outlets. I have also replaced all the corded window covers in my home with cordless versions. If you are a parent or caregiver of small children, you have probably also childproofed your home. If you have any unsafe openings on higher levels of the house, then consider having them completely covered off with a glass balcony. With the help of a service similar to juliet balcony installers north east, you could make your home safer for the kids, without losing any of the aesthetic touches.
Unfortunately, corded window coverings are often overlooked, leaving dangerous strangulation within reach of curious little ones. With National Window Covering Safety Month coming to an end, make sure your window coverings are as safe for your young children as possible!
Image Credits
Make Your Home Safer During National Window Covering Safety Month: https://www.flickr.com/photos/36041246@N00/4418542710/ (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)
National Window Covering Safety Month: http://windowcoverings.org/window-covering-safety-council-educates-military-parents-about-hidden-window-cord-hazards/
Best for Kids: http://windowcoverings.org/safety-month/
Window Covering Safety Infographic: http://windowcoverings.org/safety-month/
